Orange Waratah Junior Football Club history
The history of Orange Waratah Junior Football Club dates back to 1971 when a passionate group of senior team players wanted their keen young children to start playing too. The club was originally based at the Orange Showground in Williams Street, Orange. The club numbers continued to grow along with a dream by the founding and senior club members to have their own home ground and a clubhouse to come together at the end of match day.
This became possible with the availability of crown land, purchasing land from the Bathurst Orange Development Corporation and many years of hard voluntary work, persistence, sporting grants and fundraising. The Orange Waratah Football Club became the only club west of the Blue Mountains with its own home grounds and clubhouse.
Today these grounds are continuing to grow due to the enthusiasm and dedication of the directors of Waratah Sports Club who have identified the need for quality recreational fields for the Orange community and its club members.
All fields are maintained by volunteers, some of whom are founding members of the Orange Waratah Junior Football Club. The original clubhouse, the old Orange Drill Hall, underwent extensive renovation and extension in 2015 to comfortably accommodate the growing member numbers and become a family-orientated venue.
Gary Simpson
Gary was an active member within the football community through his participation as a player for many years and his assistance in football administration through his dedicated commitment to the Orange Waratah Football Club has ensured that the club remains one of Orange’s proudest clubs.
Gary was the President of the Orange Football Association, until the end of 2008 and will be remembered by all those involved with football in Orange for his commitment and easy-going personality. Not one to shy away from responsibility, Gary also held a position on the Western NSW Football management committee.
Gary played at the top level with Waratahs for nearly 15 years and was bestowed the club’s Player of the Year honour in 1997.
Gary was also heavily involved in coaching with his beloved Orange Waratahs, and also with the Western NSW Panthers FC Under 16’s in the FNSW Women’s Super League having won the title in 2008 and leading his team to the top position in 2009.
A memorial trophy has been established in Gary’s honour.